Did Ford make a Cortina XR6?
No. Ford did not manufacture a Cortina XR6, and the XR6 badge is not part of the Cortina’s historical lineup. The Cortina’s best-known performance variants carried RS branding (RS1600 and RS2000), while the XR6 designation is associated with other Ford models, particularly in Australia.
Historical context of the Ford Cortina
The Ford Cortina was a staple family car for Ford in Europe from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s. Across its generations, Ford offered a range of trims from basic to sporty, with much of the performance engineering concentrated in the RS lineage rather than a Cortina XR6 badge. The Cortina’s most famous high-performance versions are the RS1600 and RS2000, which helped define Ford’s sporting credentials in the European market.
In most markets, Ford reserved the “XR” designation for other models or for special trim/packages, and there is no widely documented Cortina variant that used the XR6 name. The Cortina’s production and development ended in the early 1980s, making room for Ford’s Sierra and later models in many regions.
The Cortina’s performance variants
The Cortina did have notable performance variants, primarily in the RS line. The following are the best-documented high-performance Cortinas from Ford’s history. This list helps illustrate the Cortina’s actual sporty offerings, against which the idea of an XR6 Cortina clashes.
- RS1600 (Mk1 Cortina) – A higher-performance version introduced in the late 1960s with a 1.6-liter engine and enhancements for rally-inspired performance.
- RS2000 (Mk2 Cortina) – A subsequent evolution around the early to mid-1970s featuring a larger 2.0-liter engine and further tuning for improved speed and handling.
These RS variants remain the correctly documented cornerstones of Ford’s Cortina performance history. There is no credible automotive record of an official Cortina XR6 model existing within Ford’s Cortina lineage.
XR6: what the badge represents in Ford’s lineup
When the XR6 name is encountered in Ford’s modern era, it is typically associated with the Australian Falcon lineup and other non-Cortina models, where XR-badged variants denote sportier, higher-performance trims with inline-six powerplants. The XR6 badge is not carried over to or applied to the Cortina family in Ford’s historical records or marketing materials.
In short, the XR6 designation serves a different purpose and market than the Cortina did, and there is no official Cortina XR6 from Ford’s archives or recognized automotive references.
Bottom line
The evidence from Ford’s historical product lineups and automotive references shows no Cortina XR6. The Cortina’s performance story is anchored in the RS1600 and RS2000 variants, while the XR6 badge belongs to other Ford models, particularly in Australia. If you encounter a reference to a Cortina XR6, it is likely a mislabeling, confusion with another model, or a niche/custom modification rather than an officially produced Ford Cortina XR6.
Summary
Ford did not produce a Cortina XR6. The Cortina’s notable sports variants were RS1600 and RS2000, and the XR6 badge is used elsewhere in Ford’s lineup, especially in Australia. For enthusiasts, the Cortina’s authentic sporty variants remain the RS versions, not an XR6 Cortina.
What engine came in the Ford XR6?
The Barra 270T engine is found in the FG/FG-X Falcon XR6 Turbo, and was produced between mid 2008 and late 2016. Although the power figures for the revised turbo engine mimic the old FPV turbo I6, the engines are quite different.
Did Ford make a V8 Cortina?
Ford Australia's product planners gave consideration to a TC Cortina V8. While it didn't follow through on bringing this car to life, one enthusiast has.
What is the rarest Cortina?
In 1977, the new MkIV Ford Cortina appeared in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. Although the fourth generation Cortina was the best-selling car throughout its production run it is now the rarest Cortina. It's thought that this could be down to poor rustproofing and how popular this model is with banger racers.
How many XR6 interceptors were made?
For hard-core enthusiasts, who had been mesmerised by the first Cortina GT, the crowning glory for the Cortina range in South Africa came with a special run of 200 Cortina XR6 Interceptor models. The whole idea was to homologate a model for racing to run at the front of the Group One saloon car racing field.
